How this Woman entrepreneur from Manipur is making clothes from lotus stem fiber?

5 minutes

Picture yourself in the colourful landscapes of Manipur, where a remarkable story unfolds. Here, a talented woman entrepreneur is changing the game of fashion by crafting clothes from lotus stem fiber. Join us as we explore this fascinating journey, where nature meets style, and success blooms from humble beginnings.

Meeting with the Prime Minister

In April 2023, on the 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the achievements of Bijiyashanti Tongbram, an entrepreneur from Manipur. It was not the first time Tongbram's work had caught the PM's eye. Back in 2020, her innovative venture, Sanajing Sana Thambal, had earned praise on the PM's radio show.

Tongbram's Unique Venture

Tongbram, a botanist by profession, embarked on a groundbreaking mission: extracting fiber from lotus stems. Her creativity knew no bounds as she transformed these ordinary stems into extraordinary accessories like scarves, stoles, mufflers, and neckties, all dyed with natural colors. Despite her incredible creations, Tongbram faced challenges when it came to showcasing and selling her work.

 The Turning Point

However, everything changed when Mann Ki Baat shone a spotlight on Tongbram's work. In less than 24 hours of the PM's mention, her entire stock sold out, and orders flooded in from all corners. Tongbram was overjoyed by the sudden surge in demand, though she remained curious about how the Prime Minister had discovered her work. Nevertheless, she was thrilled that small women-owned businesses like hers were receiving the recognition they deserved.

Tongbram's Background and Inspiration

Tongbram's journey began in Thanga village near Manipur's Loktak Lake. In 2014, after completing her Honours degree in Botany from GP Women’s College, Imphal, Bijiyashanti found herself uncertain about her future. Unable to find a job she felt passionate about, she spent the following years brainstorming business ideas that would allow her to earn a living while providing employment to others. In 2018, she attended a 10-day program on 'How to Become an entrepreneur at the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Centre in Manipur.

"It was during this course that she learned how to set up a business and the basics of marketing. After completing the program, she reflected on her passions and realized my deep interest in lotus flowers, which are abundant in my area. Fascinated by their medicinal properties, she began researching online about potential uses for lotuses.

She discovered three intriguing ideas: making tea from lotus flowers, starting a lotus garden featuring varieties from around the world, and extracting thread from lotus stems to create clothes," Bijiyashanti explains. She decided to pursue the last idea, as it seemed the most challenging. She then spent several months watching videos and reading about the process of collecting lotus stems, cleaning them, and extracting their fibers.

Crafting the Products

The process of extracting fiber begins with the locals’ collecting lotuses from the lake to sell at temples and flower markets. Before these lotuses reach the market, their stems are cut off, and a significant portion is discarded. "I started gathering some of these discarded stems. They need to be soaked in water for three days, which helps them produce a sticky substance inside that forms the fiber," says Bijiyashanti.

To extract the fiber, the stem is broken a few inches from one end and split open. Bijiyashanti explains that splitting the stem releases the gum-like fiber. This fiber is then spread onto a wet wooden table and rolled by hand to form a strand of thread, usually about 40 cm long. Initially, rolling the fine fiber was very challenging, but with practice, Bijiyashanti improved. The thread is then dried under the sun for a few days before it can be used to make fabrics, either on a spinning wheel or loom.

"It is a time-consuming process. I used a thousand stems or more, and it took me over a month to produce enough thread to make one scarf. The spun thread is woven into scarves on a traditional loom, and the ties are knitted by hand," explains Bijiyashanti. She adds organic dyes to the thread for colors.

 Empowering Women Through Lotus Fiber

In 2019, Bijiyashanti founded a collective called Sanajing Sana Thambal with 10 local women who assisted in extracting thread from lotus fibers. She taught them how to do this from their homes, providing them with an income to support their families. Additionally, I collaborated with regional weavers who began creating various products from the lotus stem fibers," Bijiyashanti explains.

The collective has since expanded to include 30 women, and two weavers now work full-time at the Thanga unit. The products are sold through the Sanajing Sana Thambal website and Instagram page, with customization available to meet customer requirements. The women earn between Rs 7,000 and 12,000 per month, depending on the amount of work and the hours they contribute.

In its current capacity, she believes that receiving three to five orders a month is sufficient to sustain the business.

Challenges and Dreams

However, crafting these items is no easy feat. The process is labour-intensive and expensive. A single scarf can cost upwards of Rs 18,000, and the price per meter of fabric starts at Rs 27,000, taking a staggering two months from stem collection to weaving. Additionally, since lotus stems can't be stored, they must be used fresh for each project. For large orders, Bijiyashanti has to start the entire process from scratch.

Despite challenges and capacity constraints, Tongbram remains undeterred. Tongbram has garnered support from the Northeast Entrepreneurs Fund and the Assam Agricultural University, benefiting from their technological advancements and mentorship. However, despite her growing success, she recently faced a setback when she had to turn down a significant order from Texas due to her unit's inability to meet the demand. Her primary obstacle lies in the time-consuming nature of the production process.

Looking ahead, Tongbram is determined to expand her business and is actively seeking funding to facilitate this growth. Her vision includes employing more women and diversifying her product range using lotus stem fiber, with aspirations to tap into larger markets.

Her story is a testament to the power of innovation, perseverance, and the incredible journey from lotus stems to success in Manipur's serene landscapes.

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